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COVID-19 booster dose vaccination has been crucial in ensuring protection against COVID-19 including recently predominant Omicron variants. Because vaccines against newer SARS-CoV- 2 variants are likely to be recommended in future, it will be valuable to understand past booster dose uptake among different demographic groups. Using U.S. vaccination data, this study examined intervals between primary series completion and receipt of first booster dose (monovalent or bivalent) during August 2021 - October 2022 among persons ≥12 years of age who had completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series by October 2021. Sub-populations who were late booster recipients (received a booster dose ≥12 months after the primary series) or received no booster dose included persons <35 years old, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine primary dose recipients, persons in certain racial and ethnic groups, and persons living in rural and more socially vulnerable areas, and in the South region of the United States; these groups may benefit the most from public health outreach efforts to achieve timely COVID-19 vaccination completion in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral symmetry and its spontaneous breaking play an important role both in the light hadron and heavy hadron systems. The chiral perturbation theory (χ PT) is the low energy effective field theory of the Quantum Chromodynamics. In this work, we shall review the investigations on the chiral corrections to the properties of the heavy mesons and baryons within the framework of χ PT. We will also review the scatterings of the light pseudoscalar mesons and heavy hadrons, through which many new resonances such as the D s 0 ∗ (2317) could be understood. Moreover, many new hadron states were observed experimentally in the past decades. A large group of these states is near-threshold resonances, such as the charged charmoniumlike Z c and Z c s states, bottomoniumlike Z b states, hidden-charm pentaquark P c and P c s states and the doubly charmed T c c state, etc. They are very good candidates of the loosely bound molecular states composed of a pair of charmed (bottom) hadrons, which are very similar to the loosely bound deuteron. The modern nuclear force was built upon the chiral effective field theory (χ EFT), which is the extension of the χ PT to the systems with two matter fields. The long-range and medium-long-range interactions between two nucleons arise from the single- and double-pion exchange respectively, which are well constrained by the chiral symmetry and its spontaneous breaking. The short-distance interactions can be described by the low energy constants. Such a framework works very well for the nucleon–nucleon scattering and nuclei. In this work, we will perform an extensive review of the progress on the heavy hadronic molecular states within the framework of χ EFT. We shall emphasize that the same chiral dynamics not only govern the nuclei and forms the deuteron, but also dictates the shallow bound states or resonances composed of two heavy hadrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hexavalent chromium can promote centrosome amplification (CA) as well as tumorigenesis. Since CA can lead to tumorigenesis, it is plausible that the chromium promotes the development of cancer via CA. In the present study, we investigated the signaling pathways of the chromium-induced CA. Our results showed that sub-toxic concentration of chromium was able to cause CA in HCT116 cells, and decrease the expression of TMOD2 and NPM2. Furthermore, TMOD2 and NPM2 interacted to each other via their C-terminal and the N-terminal, respectively, which was inhibited by the chromium. Overexpression of TMOD2 and NPM2 increased their binding and significantly attenuated the CA. Moreover, TMOD2 and NPM2 were co-localized with the centrosomes. The chromium inhibited the centrosomeal localization of NPM2, which was reversed by the overexpression of TMOD2, C-terminal of TMOD2, but not the N-terminal of NPM2. Our results suggest that the chromium induces CA via inhibiting the binding between TMOD2 and NPM2 as well as the dissociation of NPM2 from centrosomes. • Hexavalent chromium inhibited TMOD2-NPM2 signaling pathway. • The inhibition of TMOD2-NPM2 induce centrosome amplification. • TMOD2 interacts with the N-terminal of NPM2 by its C-terminal. • The interaction contributes to the centrosomal localization of NPM2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CRISPR-Cas, as a tool for gene editing, has received extensive attention in recent years. Anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins can inactivate the CRISPR-Cas defense system during interference phase, and can be used as a potential tool for the regulation of gene editing. In-depth study of Anti-CRISPR proteins is of great significance for the implementation of gene editing. In this study, we developed a high-accuracy prediction model based on two-step model fusion strategy, called AcrPred, which could produce an AUC of 0.952 with independent dataset validation. To further validate the proposed model, we compared with published tools and correctly identified 9 of 10 new Acr proteins, indicating the strong generalization ability of our model. Finally, for the convenience of related wet-experimental researchers, a user-friendly web-server AcrPred (Anti-CRISPR proteins Prediction) was established at http://lin-group.cn/server/AcrPred , by which users can easily identify potential Anti-CRISPR proteins. • High-accuracy prediction model was developed to identify Anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins based on two-step model fusion strategy. • AcrPred was demonstrated that it has robustness and excellent generalization ability on test dataset. • AcrPred showed the excellent superiority in case studies and comparison with published tools. • A user-friendly web-server AcrPred was built to detect Acr proteins at http://lin-group.cn/server/AcrPred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A hydroxyl-containing triazine-based conjugated microporous polymers was facilely synthesized. • The material showed high adsorption efficiency for fluoroquinolones. • Hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions dominate the extraction. • The proposed method was successfully achieved in environmental and food samples. Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are a category of broadly used antibiotics. Development of an effective and sensitive approach for determination of trace FQs in environmental and food samples is still challenging. Herein, the hydroxyl-containing triazine-based conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs-OH) was constructed and served as SPE absorbent for the efficient enrichment of FQs. Based on DFT simulations, the excellent enrichment capacity between CMPs-OH and FQs was contributed by hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions. In combination with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, the proposed approach exhibited a wide linear range (0.2–400 ng L−1), low detection limits (0.05–0.15 ng L−1), and good intraday and interday precisions under optimal conditions. In addition, the established method was effectively utilized for the determination of FQs in fourteen samples with recoveries between 82.6 % and 109.2 %. This work provided a feasible sample pretreatment method for monitoring FQs in environmental and food matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Recently, the hidden charm tetraquark states Z cs (3985) and Z cs (4000) with strangeness were observed by the BESIII and LHCb collaborations, respectively, which are great breakthroughs for exploring exotic quantum chromodynamics (QCD) structures. The first and foremost question is whether they are the same state. In this work, we explore the implications of the narrower state Z cs (3985) in BESIII and the wider one Z cs (4000) in LHCb as two different states. Within a solvable nonrelativistic effective field theory, we include the possible violations of heavy quark spin symmetry and SU(3) flavor symmetry in a comprehensive approach. If Z cs (3985) and Z cs (4000) are two different states, our results show that Z cs (4000) / Z cs (3985) is the pure (| D ‾ s ∗ D 〉 + / - | D ‾ s D ∗ 〉) / 2 state, and the SU(3) flavor partner of Z c (3900) is Z cs (4000) rather than the Z cs (3985). Another two important consequences are the existence of a tensor D ‾ s ∗ D ∗ resonance with mass about 4126 MeV and width 13 MeV, and the suppression of the decay mode Z cs (3985) → J / ψ K. The two consequences can be tested in experiments and distinguish the two-state interpretation from the one-state scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] In this work, we investigate the SU(3) flavor symmetry, heavy quark spin symmetry and their breaking effects in the di-meson systems. We prove the existence of the [ D ‾ s ∗ D s ∗ ] 0 + + , [ D ‾ s ∗ D s / D ‾ s D s ∗ ] 1 + - , and [ D ‾ s ∗ D s ∗ ] 1 + - bound states as the consequence of two prerequisites in the SU(3) flavor symmetry and heavy quark spin symmetry. The first prerequisite, the X (3872) as the weakly D ‾ ∗ D / D ‾ D ∗ bound state is supported by its mass and decay branching ratios. The second prerequisite, the existence of the [ D ‾ s D s ] 0 + + bound state is supported by the lattice QCD calculation and the observation of χ c 0 (3930) by the LHCb Collaboration. We hope the future experimental analyses can search for these bound states in the B → D (s) (*) D ‾ (s) (*) h processes (h denotes the light hadrons). The [ D ‾ s ∗ D s ∗ ] 0 + + bound state is also expected to be reconstructed in the J / ψ ϕ final state in the B → J / ψ ϕ K decay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy cows with mastitis are frequently treated with antibiotics. The potential effect of antibiotics on the milk microbiome is still not clear. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate the effect of 2 commonly used cephalosporins on the milk microbiota of dairy cows and the antibiotic resistance genes in the milk. The milk samples were collected from 7 dairy cows at the period before medication (d 0), medication (d 1, 2, 3), withdrawal period (d 4, 6, 8), and the period after withdrawal (d 9, 11, 13, 15). We applied 16S rRNA sequencing to explore the microbiota changes, and antibiotic resistance patterns were investigated by quantitative PCR. The microbiota richness and diversity in each sample were calculated using the Chao 1 (richness), Shannon (diversity), and Simpson (diversity) indices. The cephalosporins treatment lowered the Simpson diversity value at the period of withdrawal. Members of the Enterobacter genera were the most affected bacteria associated with mastitis. Meanwhile, antibiotic resistance genes in the milk were also influenced by antibiotic treatment. The cephalosporins treatment raised the proportion of bla TEM in milk samples at the period of withdrawal. Therefore, the treatment of cephalosporins led to change in the milk microbiota and increase of β-lactam resistance gene in the milk at the time of withdrawal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant growth regulator mepiquat chloride (MC) has been widely used to regulate cotton growth and development worldwide. However, little is known about whether MC application during cotton growing season affects defoliation efficiency of the harvest aids (TE), a novel product with the mixture of 10% thidiazuron and 40% ethephon. Here, a 3-year (2018–2020) field experiment was carried out in Hejian, Hebei province, China, involving six treatments as three different MC rates (MC free, farmers' practice-conventional amount, high MC amount) and two defoliant rates (0 ml ha−1 [CK] and 2250 ml ha−1 [TE]). High MC rate delayed cotton leaf abscission and decreased the defoliation percentage at 7 days after TE treatment, but hardly affected harvest aids efficacy at harvest time. The delay of leaf abscission was due to an increase in auxin and cytokinin concentration of cotton leaves in MC treatment. The MC treatment accelerated the natural maturation of cotton, achieving a higher boll-opening percentage before defoliant spraying, and increased cotton lint yield. Over the 3-year period, compared to CK, the defoliant application TE increased the defoliation percentage by 43.4%, the boll-opening percentage by 10.4%, and the cotton lint yield by 9.1% due to an increase in opened boll number per unit land area. We concluded that the optimal MC dose (about 200 g ha−1) would decrease the risk of reducing defoliation and achieve higher cotton lint yield. • Applying mepiquat chloride (MC) only delayed cotton leaf abscission in the early stage of defoliation. • MC application increased auxin and cytokinin concentration in cotton leaf. • Applying MC accelerated cotton maturation and achieved a higher boll-opening percentage. • The optimal MC dose decreased the risk of decreasing defoliation and enhanced cotton lint yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Developing precious metal-free electrocatalysts with both high and stable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrochemical activity is still the key challenge in the wide application of clean energy, e.g. fuel cells or metal air batteries. Here, TiC based precious metal-free ORR catalyst has been studied by doping heterogeneous atoms. N-doping results in enhanced ORR performance of N/TiC, which was further elevated by introducing metal (e.g. Fe, Co) into TiC powders. Especially, the resultant Fe-N/TiC demonstrates the highest ORR activity among the prepared samples, which exhibits approximate 4e− pathway with a comparable electron-transfer number to the benchmark 20 wt%Pt/C, and much higher methanol tolerance than the latter in alkaline media. The high ORR performance of Fe-N/TiC composite could be ascribed to the cooperative effects of both N and metal doping, in which the N doping would lead to the change of electronic structure near the TiC surface and the formation of C-N active sites, and the metal species addition leads to the formation of a certain amount of Me-N x active sites resulting in the further ORR activity enhancement. The reasonably high and stable electrochemical catalytic activity and the excellent methanol tolerance make the precious-metal free Fe-N/TiC composite a promising candidate cathode catalyst in ORR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanisms leading to self-assembly of misfolded proteins into amyloid aggregates have been studied extensively in the test tube under well-controlled conditions. However, to what extent these processes are representative of those in the cellular environment remains unclear. Using super-resolution imaging of live cells, we show here that an amyloidogenic polyglutamine-containing protein first forms small, amorphous aggregate clusters in the cytosol, chiefly by diffusion. Dynamic interactions among these clusters limited their elongation and led to structures with a branched morphology, differing from the predominantly linear fibrils observed in vitro. Some of these clusters then assembled via active transport at the microtubule-organizing center and thereby initiated the formation of perinuclear aggresomes. Although it is widely believed that aggresome formation is entirely governed by active transport along microtubules, here we demonstrate, using a combined approach of advanced imaging and mathematical modeling, that diffusion is the principal mechanism driving aggresome expansion. We found that the increasing surface area of the expanding aggresome increases the rate of accretion caused by diffusion of cytosolic aggregates and that this pathway soon dominates aggresome assembly. Our findings lead to a different view of aggresome formation than that proposed previously. We also show that aggresomes mature over time, becoming more compacted as the structure grows. The presence of large perinuclear aggregates profoundly affects the behavior and health of the cell, and our super-resolution imaging results indicate that aggresome formation and development are governed by highly dynamic processes that could be important for the design of potential therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Glucose carbon microspheres have been widely used for wastewater treatment as adsorbent owing to their strong adsorption capacity, but for large-scale applications, the glucose carbon microspheres are inconvenient to be recycled from aqueous suspension due to their good suspendability. Moreover, the primitive nature of small particle size, large specific surface area and high surface energy of glucose carbon microspheres make them prone to aggregate and thus, disperse no-effectively for the other extended application. To solve this dilemma, polyester (PET) fibers decorated with glucose carbon microspheres (GC@PFs) were herein fabricated by one-step hydrothermal carbonization with acrylic acid as a coupling agent. The products were characterized by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Boehm titration, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TG), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and zeta potential respectively. The experimental results showed that a large amount of glucose carbon microspheres were evenly dispersed on the surface of carboxyl activated polyester fibers with uniform particle diameter, and the composite fibers showed desirable adsorption ability of cationic dyes for its more negative zeta potential. The dye adsorption isotherm follows Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model better. Remarkably, the adsorbent has an excellent recyclability for maintaining a high removal rate (>85%) to dye even after 10 cycles. Highlights • Glucose carbon microspheres were evenly distributed on the PET fibers surface that solved the problem of easy aggregation. • The polyester fibers were firstly decorated with glucose carbon microspheres through one-step hydrothermal carbonization. • Acrylic acid maintained the integrity of PET fabric and introduced a quite number of carboxyl groups on the PET surface. • The surface decorated composite material possessed good adsorption property and easy recovery performance. • The glucose carbon microspheres decorated polyester fibers showed a highly selective adsorption for the cationic dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • The morphology of PLA microspheres could be varied through the formation of PLA stereocomplex. • By simply changing the ratio of PLLA and PDLA in solution, the porosity of the microspheres could be varied. • The drug release rate of the PLLA/PDLA microspheres can be easily tuned from slow to fast with slight initial burst. Abstract The applications of Polylactide (PLA) microspheres in biomedical areas are greatly determined by the size, morphology and internal structure. Taking advantage of the formation of stereocomplex (SC) crystallites between poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(D-lactide) (PDLA), we propose a facile strategy to prepare PLA microspheres with tunable morphology and crystalline structure by compounding PLLA and PDLA. With increasing PDLA content, the crystallinity of SC-PLA rose gradually until the ratio of PLLA and PDLA reached 1:1 and then fell. Correspondingly, the morphology of the microspheres were varied (smooth, porous, golf-ball like, guava like) and higher crystallinity of SC-PLA would lead to a more coarse and porous structure. Finally, three typical kinds of Rifampicin-loaded microspheres with different ratio of PLLA and PDLA (7:3, 3:7, 10:0, sorted by porosity from high to low) were prepared and the release behavior was compared. At 30 h, the cumulative release of 7:3, 3:7 and 10:0 microspheres were 32.6%, 17.8% and 6.0% respectively, indicating that the release profiles were generally determined by the porosity of the microspheres. Our findings not only provide a new strategy to prepare PLA microspheres with controllable morphology but offer additional possibilities for the applications of SC-PLA products in biomedical area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract A new cyanide-bridged 1D FeIIICoII complex has been designed and synthesized. The complex is overall ferromagnetic and exhibits typical metamagnet behaviors with T N = 2.6 K and H c = 1.2 kOe at 2.0 K. Highlights • A new cyanide-bridged 1D FeIIICoII complex has been synthesized. • The complex is overall ferromagnetic, which is fitted by 1D magnetic model. • The complex exhibits typical metamagnet behaviors with T N = 2.6 K. Abstract A new cyanide-bridged FeIIICoII bimetallic complex {[Fe(Tp)(CN) 3 Co(L N3O2)]ClO 4 ·2H 2 O} n (Tp− = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate, L N3O2 = 2,13-dimethyl-6,9-dioxa-3,12,18-triaza-bicyclo[12.3.1]octadeca-1(18),2,12,14,16-pentene) (1) has been synthesized based on the building blocks of [CoII(L N3O2)(H 2 O) 2 ](ClO 4) 2 and Bu 4 N[FeIII(Tp)(CN) 3 ]. X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis shows that complex 1 has a cyanide-bridged Fe(III) and Co(II) alternating one-dimensional (1D) zigzag-like structure. Magnetic investigations on complex 1 indicate the ferromagnetic coupling between Fe(III) and Co(II) through cyanide bridge. Complex 1 displays long-range antiferromagnetic ordering with T N = 2.6 K. The typical metamagnet behaviors have been observed with the critical field of ca. 1.2 kOe at 2.0 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Driven by the technological advancements and scientific objectives, the data acquisition in observational astronomy has been changed greatly in recent years. Fully automated or even autonomous ground-based network of telescopes has now become a tendency for time-domain observational projects. The Stellar Observations Network Group (SONG) is an international collaboration with the participation and contribution of the Chinese astronomy community. The scientific goal of SONG is time-domain astrophysics, such as the astroseismology and the research of variable stars in open clusters. The SONG project aims to build a global network of one-meter telescopes equipped with high-precision and high-resolution spectrographs, and two-channel lucky-imaging cameras. It is the Chinese initiative to install a 50 cm binocular photometry telescope at each SONG node to share the network platform and infrastructure. This work is focused on the design and implementation of SONG/50BiN in technology and methodology, for the ground-based network composed of multiple sites and a variety of instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strain localization is a common phenomenon existing in various multiscale materials or structures, e.g., the bulking bands of thin-walled structures, the local collapse of porous materials, and the crack in solid materials, etc. However, this phenomenon cannot be captured by the conventional homogenization methods, such as mean-field homogenization (e.g., Mori–Tanaka method), first-order or high-order computational homogenization (e.g., the Finite Element Square method), etc., due to the high strain gradient associated with strain localization. Aiming at this, a hybrid Direct FE2 method is proposed by combining the D-FE2 (Direct FE2) and the traditional FE methods, while the multiscale structure is modeled using the D-FE2 method in the region exhibiting low deformation gradient, and the other region displaying high deformation gradient is modeled using the traditional FE method. Moreover, a node displacement constraint and an overall node displacement constraint derived from the multilevel equilibrium equations using the Gauss–Ostrogradsky theorem are respectively prescribed to the interface between the D-FE2 model and the FE model of the multiscale structure, to enforce the energy equilibrium and deformation continuity. The proposed hybrid D-FE2 method is then applied to predict the strain localization behavior of multiscale materials or structures, including local bulking of honeycomb structures, in-situ crack propagation, and localized plastic deformation in fiber reinforced composites, etc. Comparison of the simulation results obtained from the hybrid D-FE2 method and the traditional FE method validates the accuracy, efficiency and ease of numerical implementation of the proposed hybrid D-FE2 method. • A hybrid D-FE2 method was proposed for m ultiscale modeling of strain localization. • Displacement constraints were derived for d eformation continuity at the interface. • The hybrid D-FE2 method is accurate and more e fficient compared to DNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial milk products worldwide come not only from cows, but also from goats, buffaloes, camels, and yaks. Milk from non-bovine animals is important culturally and economically. Pseudomonas spp. are frequently linked to milk spoilage under storage temperatures. The objectives of this study were to identify Pseudomonas spp. isolated from goat, buffalo, camel, and yak milks, and to measure proteolytic activity of Pseudomonas spp. under different storage temperatures. Raw milk samples of goat (n = 50), buffalo (n = 25), camel (n = 25), and yak (n = 25) were collected from 5 provinces in China. Pseudomonas spp. were analyzed by Pseudomonas-specific 16S, universal 16S rRNA, and rpoB gene sequence analyses. Proteolytic activity on milk agar, quantification via the trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid assay at 2°C, 4°C, 7°C, 10°C and 25°C, as well as alkaline peptidase gene (aprX) identification were performed to ascertain the proteolytic activity of these isolates. Pseudomonas spp. were found in 46 samples out of total 125 samples. A total of 67 Pseudomonas spp. were identified. Of Pseudomonas isolates, we obtained extracellular peptidase activity in 7 (10.4%) at 2°C, 17 (25.4%) at 4°C, 24 (35.8%) at 7°C, 39 (58.2%) at 10°C, and 41 (61.2%) at 25°C. The results revealed that a wide diversity of Pseudomonas spp. were present in different non-bovine raw milks, with the ability to produce peptidases at storage temperatures. However, proteolytic activity varied widely among the peptidase-positive isolates. A majority of isolates from yak milk had high proteolytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have systematically investigated the spin- 3 2 to spin- 1 2 doubly charmed baryon transition magnetic moments to the next-to-next-to-leading order in the heavy baryon chiral perturbation theory (HBChPT). Numerical results of transition magnetic moments and decay widths are presented to the next-to-leading order: μ Ξ c c ⁎ + + → Ξ c c + + = − 2.35 μ N , μ Ξ c c ⁎ + → Ξ c c + = 1.55 μ N , μ Ω c c ⁎ + → Ω c c + = 1.54 μ N , Γ Ξ c c ⁎ + + → Ξ c c + + = 22.0 keV, Γ Ξ c c ⁎ + → Ξ c c + = 9.57 keV, Γ Ω c c ⁎ + → Ω c c + = 9.45 keV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of present study was to evaluate the protective effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and investigate its possible mechanisms mediated by HMGB1. In vivo, pulmonary pathology observation and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were also examined to evaluate the protective effect of DEX in the lungs. Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum and lung tissues LPS-induced rats were detected. The oxidative indices including superoxide dismutase (SOD), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in serum were also determined. Additionally, nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β, MDA, SOD and GSH-Px in the supernatants of LPS-induced BEAS-2B cells were measured. Furthermore, we detected the protein expression of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiating factor 88 (MyD88), inhibitor of NF-κB (IκBα), p-IκBα, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), p-NF-κB, phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase (PI3K), p-PI3K, protein kinase B (Akt), p-Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p-mTOR in LPS-induced ALI rats and LPS-induced BEAS-2B cells. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analyses of HMGB1 in lung tissues or BEAS-2B cells were also conducted to evaluate the mechanisms of DEX. DEX effectively attenuated pulmonary pathology, and ameliorated the levels of MPO, SOD, MDA, GSH-Px, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and NO in LPS-stimulated rats and BEAS-2B cells. Additionally, treatment with DEX inhibited the expression of HMGB1, TLR4, MyD88, p-IκB, p-NF-κB, p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR in vivo and in vitro. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analyses also showed that DEX suppressed HMGB1 levels in lung sections and BEAS-2B cells. Treatment with glycyrrhizin, an inhibitor of HMGB1, confirmed that HMGB1 was involved in the mechanism of DEX on LPS-induced ALI. The transfection of HGMB1 siRNA also confirmed these findings in vitro. In conclusion, the present study showed that DEX exerted a protective effect on LPS-induced ALI rats likely through the HMGB1-mediated TLR4/NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) materials with closely related species are frequently fungible in clinical use. Therefore, holistic comparison of the composition in bioactive compounds is essential to evaluate whether they are equivalent in efficacy. Taking three officinal species of Callicarpa as a case, we proposed and validated a standardized strategy for the discrimination of closely related TCM materials, which focused on the extraction, profiling and multivariate statistical analysis of their biochemome. Firstly, serial liquid-liquid extractions were utilized to prepare different batches of Callicarpa biochemome, and the preparation yields were utilized for the normalization of sampling quantity prior to UHPLC-IT-MS analysis. Secondly, 34 compounds, including 19 phenylethanoid glycosides, 10 flavonoids and 5 terpenoids, were identified based on an untargeted UHPLC-IT-MS method. Thirdly, method validation of linearity, precision and stability showed that the UHPLC-IT-MS system was qualified ( R 2 > 0.995, RSD < 15%) for subsequent biochemome profiling. After PCA and PLS-DA analysis, 30 marker compounds were screened and demonstrated to be of good predictability using genetic algorithm optimized support vector machines. Finally, a heatmap visualization was employed for clarifying the distribution of marker compounds, which could be helpful to determine whether the three Callicarpa species are, in fact, equivalent substitutes. This study provides a standardized biochemome profiling strategy for systemic comparison analysis of closely related TCM materials, which shows promising perspectives in tracking the supply chain of pharmaceutical suppliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The empirical formula of Remhe and Novendstern can better evaluate the pressure drop along the rod bundle section of the fuel assembly in CiADS. • The mixing effect of spacer wires may enhance the LBE flow velocity and heat transfer coefficiency. • The winding pattern has a noticeable effect on the temperature distribution at the assembly outlet. • When the winding angle of spacer wires is set at 30°, the temperature distribution at the outlet of the assembly will be more uniform. Spacer wires are frequently applied as the positioning components of fuel rods in lead-based fast reactors. It is extremely important to carry out the research of the impacts from spacer wires on coolant flow within fuel assemblies, and therefore the safety performances of reactor core. In this paper, the open source CFD calculation software OpenFOAM was adopted to perform the refined numerical simulation on the rod bundle of the fuel assembly in CiADS. The results show that spacer wires will increase the pressure drop along the rod bundle section of the fuel assembly. The empirical formula of Remhe and Novendstern can better evaluate the pressure drop along the rod bundle section of the fuel assembly in CiADS. The mixing effect of spacer wires may enhance the LBE flow velocity and heat transfer coefficiency. The winding pattern has a noticeable effect on the temperature distribution at the assembly outlet. When the winding angle of spacer wires is set at 30°, the temperature distribution at the outlet of the assembly will be more uniform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese phthalocyanine (MnPc) nanostructures with different morphologies were prepared on porous anodic alumina oxide (AAO) at different substrate temperature ( T s =50 ℃, 80 ℃, 120 ℃, 180 ℃, 240 ℃) in an organic molecular beam deposition (OMBD) system. The nanostructures morphologies were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the results showed that the nanostructures morphologies could be modulated by the control of T s , as a result, the continuous film was obtained at 50 ℃, whereas the nanorods (NRs), nanoribbons (NBs), nanowires (NWs), nanosheets (NSs) and nanoparticles (NPs) were facilely generated as T s increased. At the same time, the density and the uniformity of the nanostructures decreased. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that only the β-phase polymorph formed throughout the growth process irrelevant to the T s . Additionally, the ultraviolet visible (UV–Vis) absorption spectra demonstrated that the main absorption bands of MnPc nanostructures showed a remarkable band broadening as the T s was increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of all of the strategies for controlling reverse osmosis (RO) membrane fouling, chemical cleaning is indispensable. To study the effects of chemical cleaning on membrane foulant removal, a comparative analysis of RO membranes before and after common alkaline and acid cleaning was conducted by dissecting lead and terminal RO membranes in a full-scale municipal wastewater reclamation plant. Most foulants on the membranes were removed by chemical cleaning processes. Calcium was the major inorganic component of the foulants because of its highest concentration in the feed water. Aluminum and iron were also abundant elements on the membranes due to their high deposition ratios and low removal efficiencies. Hydrophilic neutrals (HIN) and hydrophobic neutrals (HON) were the two largest dissolved organic matter (DOM) fractions on the membranes before cleaning. HIN and hydrophilic acids (HIA) were not effectively removed. Chemical cleaning removed 94% and 90% of the total bacteria on the lead and tail membranes and considerably changed the structure of the microbial communities. Bacteria excessively producing extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), such as Pseudomonas and Zoogloea , were much more resistant to the chemical cleaning process. After cleaning, the membrane microbial community structures were more similar to those in the feed water than the structures on the membranes before cleaning. These results shed light on the effects of cleaning in a full-scale RO plant, improves our understanding of the removal of foulants and provides potential research directions for cleaning methods and RO pretreatment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Femoral neck geometric parameters (FNGPs) are closely related to the strength of the femoral neck and the risk of fragility fractures. No reference database is available for FNGPs for Chinese population, and gender-related differences in FNGPs as well as their association with the risk of femoral neck fractures are unknown. This investigation aimed to set up reference databases for FNGPs, understand gender-related differences in FNGPs, and examine the association between FNGPs and the risk of osteoporotic fractures of the femoral neck. This study included 5268 females and 2156 males (aged 15–91 years) from Chinese population. A total of 384 patients (282 females and 102 males) had sustained femoral neck fractures; 384 age- and sex-matched individuals without any fractures served as controls. Femoral neck DXA images were used to measure bone mineral density (BMD) and eight FNGPs. Our results showed that the age-related trends of FNGPs were fitted with the best goodness-of-fit by applying the cubic regression model. The trends shown by FNGPs were significantly different between male and female subjects, and the fitting curves were significantly higher in male subjects. After adjustments were made for age, height, weight, and body mass index, Cox regression analysis showed that changes in all FNGPs were related to increased hazard ratios (HRs) of femoral neck fractures. After further adjustment was made for BMD of the femoral neck, the HRs related to a cortical thickness (CT) decrease and buckling ratio (BR) increase in females went up by 3.35-folds (95% CI: 2.75–4.07) and 1.86-folds (95% CI: 1.33–2.60), respectively. In males, the HRs related to the decrease in CT and cross-sectional area (CSA) increased by 3.21-folds (95% CI: 2.32–4.45) and 1.88-folds (95% CI: 1.03–3.44), respectively. In conclusions, the reference databases of FNGPs established in this study will assist in the evaluation and prediction of femoral neck fracture risk in the clinic. The decrease in CT and increase in BR of the femoral neck were independent risk factors for osteoporotic fractures of the femoral neck in females from mainland China, while a decrease in CT and CSA were risk factors in male. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysaccharide-based in-situ formable composite hydrogels were prepared by a facile one-pot approach via Michael addition reaction, with maleilated chitosan and thiol derivatised hyaluronan. The hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy, swelling ratio, oscillatory rheology and antibacterial activity. Results showed that the hydrogels with different molar ratios of free thiol/vinyl all formed in-situ within 15 min. With increasing of vinyl contents, gelation time and storage modulus increased, while porosity and swelling ratio decreased. Additionally, the hydrogels presented antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli , which will be benefit for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The present study investigated frequency dependent developmental patterns of the brain resting-state networks from childhood to adolescence. Method Magnetoencephalography (MEG) data were recorded from 20 healthy subjects at resting-state with eyes-open. The resting-state networks (RSNs) was analyzed at source-level. Brain network organization was characterized by mean clustering coefficient and average path length. The correlations between brain network measures and subjects’ age during development from childhood to adolescence were statistically analyzed in delta (1–4 Hz), theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz), and beta (12–30 Hz) frequency bands. Results A significant positive correlation between functional connectivity with age was found in alpha and beta frequency bands. A significant negative correlation between average path lengths with age was found in beta frequency band. Conclusions The results suggest that there are significant developmental changes of resting-state networks from childhood to adolescence, which matures from a lattice network to a small-world network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To test the hypotheses that brain networks of patients with epilepsy differ from that of healthy controls and functional interactions in the brain are correlated to the duration of epilepsy. Method The present study recorded Magnetoencephalography (MEG) data from twenty patients with epilepsy and twenty healthy controls, constructed the whole functional brain network based on phase lag index (PLI), compared the differences in functional connectivity and network measures between patients with epilepsy and healthy controls, and analyzed the correlation between network measures and the duration of epilepsy. Results The patients with epilepsy showed significant increase in mean functional connectivity in the alpha band, gamma band and ripple band, significant increase in mean clustering coefficient in the theta band, beta band and ripple band, significant increase in average shortest path length in the theta band and alpha band. Only in the alpha band, a significant negative correlation between mean clustering coefficient and the duration of epilepsy was detected. Conclusions Our results indicated that the alterations of functional brain network are related to a functional imbalance that resulted from epileptic activity and the brain network of patients with epilepsy become more pathological over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Either arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi or earthworms as soil organisms promote plant growth, while their interaction on nitrogen (N) content in plants, soil, and glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) is not known. In this study, an AM fungus (Funneliformis mosseae) and an earthworm (Pheretima guillelmi), either in single or in combination, were introduced into soil growing white clover to analyze their effects on plant growth, chlorophyll, soluble protein, N contents in leaves, roots, GRSP, and soil, and the contribution of N in purified GRSP to soil total N. The four-week introduction of earthworms significantly increased root mycorrhizal colonization rate, and accelerated an improved AM effect on chlorophyll and plant growth. The single introduction of earthworms significantly increased root N and soil total N contents, while the single introduction of AM fungi distinctly elevated N contents in leaves, roots, easily extractable GRSP, and soil (nitrate N and total N). The N in total GRSP was 5.78–7.70 mg g−1, accounting for 3.46 %–5.45 % of the soil total N, of which the contribution of N from easily extractable GRSP and difficult-to-extract GRSP was 1.84 %–3.07 % and 1.34 %–2.39 %, respectively. AM fungi, but not earthworms, significantly increased the contribution of N in GRSP to soil total N, and the introduction of earthworms further accelerated the increased effect of mycorrhizas on the contribution of N in easily extractable and total GRSP to soil total N. These results demonstrated that the introduction of earthworms into mycorrhizosphere can facilitate N storage in GRSP and thus a contribution to soil total N. • Effects of earthworms and AMF on N content of soil and plants were studied. • Dual earthworms and AMF addition recorded higher plant growth and chlorophyll than single addition. • Earthworms increased root N and soil total N, while AMF elevated N in plants, EE-GRSP, and soil NO 3 −−N and total N. • Dual addition recorded higher N contents in GRSPs than single addition. • Earthworm accelerated the AMF effect on the contribution of N in EE-GRSP and T-GRSP to soil total N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low-boiling fraction (LBF) of bio-oil produced from the hydrothermal liquefaction of peanut straw and used engine oil (UEO) blends were co-hydrotreated. The effects of the catalyst type on the yields of the product fractions resulting from the co-hydrotreating of the LBF with UEO and on the properties of the upgraded oil were first examined. The results revealed that noble metals with one electron in the outermost shell demonstrated high performance in the removal of heteroatoms. Of all of the noble metals tested, Pt/C and Rh/C exhibited the highest performance in the overall removal of heteroatoms from the feedstock mixture. With Rh/C as the catalyst, the effects of the catalyst loading (0–0.3 kg catalyst /kg feed ), UEO/LBF mass ratio (3:0–0:3), and temperature (350–430 °C) were further examined. A positive synergistic effect occurred during the co-hydrotreating process at a UEO/LBF mass ratio of 2.5:0.5. The UEO/LBF mass ratio significantly affected the product yields and the properties of the upgraded oil. The presence of UEO suppressed char formation. The energy density of the vast majority of the upgraded oils was higher than that of petroleum diesel. This study suggested that UEO is a good solvent for the hydrotreating of bio-oil derived from the hydrothermal liquefaction of peanut straw. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaction mechanisms between ozone and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) can be the key of understanding the improvements in microbial aggregates properties by low-concentration ozonation. In this study, EPS are extracted from activated sludge and treated continuously by ozone gas at 270 ± 41 ppm. The reaction between ozone and EPS was investigated by observation of EPS component concentrations, functional groups and molecular weight distributions using UV–Vis spectrometry, excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy (EEM), high performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In a 12-hour-ozonation experiment, significant ozone consumption was observed in the first 4 h and protein concentration in EPS solution was reduced by 30 ± 12%. However, the polysaccharides concentration only had a slightly decrease at the end of the ozonation process. UV–Vis spectra and EEM spectra results suggest that ozone removed protein and fluorescent matters (SMP and tryptophan-like aromatic protein) rapidly by attacking specific amino acid residues on polypeptide chain. After ozonation, the molecular weight of polysaccharide and protein dropped by 4 orders of magnitude according to HPSEC results. TOC concentration of EPS solution was reduced by 13 ± 2% after ozonation. The loss in TOC could be explained by the observation of volatile organic compounds such as carboxylic acids, aldehydes and ketones in the off-gas detected by GC–MS. The results in this study can provide a better understanding towards the mechanisms of improvements in activated sludge properties by ozonation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quasicrystalline alloy powders with the composition of Ti 40.83 Zr 40.83 Ni 18.34 are prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) techniques, and the bulk part is obtained by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) method. The structure, mechanical properties, friction and wear properties of the bulk part are investigated. The results showed that the structure of the bulk part is pure icosahedral quasicrystalline phase (I-phase). The Vickers Hardness of the bulk part is 7.03 GPa. The maximum compression strength, the elastic deformation and Young modulus is (662 ± 50) MPa, 2.7 ± 0.1% and (30 ± 3) GPa, respectively. The lowest value of friction coefficient is 0.40 at a normal load of 100 N, a sliding velocity of 10 mm/s, a sliding time of 10 min and an ambient temperature of 293.15 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juxtanuclear aggresomes form in cells when levels of aggregation- prone proteins exceed the capacity of the proteasome to degrade them. It is widely believed that aggresomes have a protective function, sequestering potentially damaging aggregates until these can be removed by autophagy. However, most in-cell studies have been carried out over a few days at most, and there is little information on the long term effects of aggresomes. To examine these long term effects, we created inducible, singlecopy cell lines that expressed aggregation-prone polyglutamine proteins over several months. We present evidence that, as perinuclear aggresomes accumulate, they are associated with abnormal nuclear morphology and DNA double-strand breaks, resulting in cell cycle arrest via the phosphorylated p53 (Ser-15)- dependent pathway. Further analysis reveals that aggresomes can have a detrimental effect on mitosis by steric interference with chromosome alignment, centrosome positioning, and spindle formation. The incidence of apoptosis also increased in aggresome-containing cells. These severe defects developed gradually after juxtanuclear aggresome formation and were not associated with small cytoplasmic aggregates alone. Thus, our findings demonstrate that, in dividing cells, aggresomes are detrimental over the long term, rather than protective. This suggests a novel mechanism for polyglutamine-associated developmental and cell biological abnormalities, particularly those with early onset and non-neuronal pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monolayer cells are largely different from tumor masses, and might misguide drug screenings. 3D in vitro cell culture models simulate the characteristics of tumor masses in vivo and have recently been used in many studies of anti-cancer drugs. Among various 3D cell culture models, multi-cellular layer (MCL) models allow for the direct quantitative assessment of the penetration of chemotherapeutic agents through solid tissue environments without requiring the use of fluorescently labeled drugs or imaging molecules. Therefore, in our present study, a 3D-no base and embedded MCF-7 MCL model was successfully developed for a 14-day culture. Over time, its thickness and cell layers increased and exhibited highly proliferative properties and drug resistance to adriamycin (ADR) with markedly elevated IC50 values. Meanwhile, G2/M stage cycle arrest was also observed, which likely up-regulated P-gp expression through the Chk2/p53/NF-κB pathway. The elevated P-gp expression altered the ADR penetration kinetics in MCF-7 MCLs in vitro by accelerating the apparent penetration of ADR through the intercellular spaces of the MCLs. Additionally, a decreased ADR retention within tumor cells was observed, but could be significantly reversed by a P-gp inhibitor. The attenuated ADR retention in the deeper cells of tumor masses was confirmed in xenografted mice in vivo. This phenomenon could be elucidated by the mathematical modeling of penetration kinetics parameters. Our study provided a new model that evaluated and improved the quantification of the drug penetration kinetics, revealed the relationship between P-gp and drug penetration through tumor masses, and suggested the potential molecular mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are beneficial organisms in the soil and play an important role in improving soil fertility and plant growth. The objective of this study was to analyze the response of single versus dual inoculation of earthworms (Pheretima guillelmi) and AMF (Funneliformis mosseae) on mycorrhizal growth, root morphology, and rhizosphere properties of white clover (Trifolium repens). Addition of earthworms significantly increased the degree of root AMF colonization, while decreased hyphal length and spore number in the soil. Single or dual inoculation of F. mosseae and P. guillelmi significantly increased root traits (total length, area, volume, and average diameter), soil phosphatase activities (acid, neutral, and alkaline), easily extractable and total glomalin-related soil protein content, the percentage of soil water-stable aggregates at the size of 2–4 mm, 1–2 mm and 0.5–1 mm, aggregate stability, Bray-P, and soil organic carbon (SOC) contents. Among them, the dual inoculation further amplified the effect on glomalin production, phosphatase activity, and aggregate stability, but did not show a superposition effect on root improvement, Bray-P, and SOC. Our study, hence, suggested that AMF and earthworms have synergistic roles in elevating rhizosphere properties vis-à-vis agronomic responses of white clover. • Effects of earthworm-AMF (singly and in combination) on rhizosphere environment and crop response were studied. • Earthworms increased root AMF colonization, but reduced hyphae and spores in soils. • AMF or earthworms singly improved root traits, Bray-P, and soil organic carbon contents, but dual application of AMF and earthworms did not show a major effect than single application. • Single AMF or earthworms increased aggregation, phosphatase, GRSP, and dual addition amplified these responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Although the association between depression and body composition has been widely discussed, the effects of depression on lean body mass (LBM) are unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the association of depression with LBM. Methods: The study included 2406 participants aged 18–69 years. The sex and body mass index (BMI) stratified analysis of covariance was performed to compare total LBM and percentage LBM (%LBM) in subjects with different depression score levels. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to estimate the association between depression score and serum albumin level. Results: An analysis of covariance stratified by sex showed that participants with moderate-to-severe depression had significantly decreased total LBM and total and regional %LBM in men, except for total LBM and percentage gynoid LBM, which was observed in women. In the BMI stratified analysis of covariance, depression was significantly associated with decreased total and regional %LBM and with increased total and regional percentage fat body mass. In people with BMI≥25kg/m2, the associations between depression or depressive syndrome and LBM, and total and regional %LBM are stronger compared to those with BMI<25kg/m2. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that depression score was significantly negatively associated with serum albumin level. Limitations: This is a cross-sectional study based on a general population, some information about clinical diagnosis and medication use is not available. Conclusions: Depression had a significant negative association with LBM and serum albumin level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Little is known about how the drivers of COVID-19 vaccination vary across the U.S. To inform vaccination outreach efforts, this study explores geographic variation in correlates of COVID-19 nonvaccination among adults. Participants were a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults identified through random-digit dialing for the National Immunization Survey–Adult COVID Module. Analyses examined the geographic and temporal landscape of constructs in the Behavioral and Social Drivers of Vaccination Framework among unvaccinated respondents from May 2021 to December 2021 (n =531,798) and sociodemographic and geographic disparities and Behavioral and Social Drivers of Vaccination predictors of COVID-19 nonvaccination from October 2021 to December 2021 (n =187,756). National coverage with at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine was 79.3% by December 2021, with substantial geographic heterogeneity. Regions with the largest proportion of unvaccinated persons who would probably get a COVID-19 vaccine or were unsure resided in the Southeast and Midwest (Health and Human Services Regions 4 and 5). Both regions had similar temporal trends regarding concerns about COVID-19 and confidence in vaccine importance, although the Southeast had especially low confidence in vaccine safety in December 2021, lowest in Florida (5.5%) and highest in North Carolina (18.0%). The strongest Behavioral and Social Drivers of Vaccination correlate of not receiving a COVID-19 vaccination was lower confidence in COVID-19 vaccine importance (adjusted prevalence ratio=5.19, 95% CI=4.93, 5.47; strongest in the Northeast, Southwest, and Mountain West and weakest in the Southeast and Midwest). Other Behavioral and Social Drivers of Vaccination correlates also varied by region. Contributors to nonvaccination showed substantial geographic heterogeneity. Strategies to improve COVID-19 vaccination uptake may need to be tailored regionally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background and Purpose: The widespread propagation of synchronized neuronal firing in seizure disorders may affect cortical and subcortical brain regions. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can noninvasively quantify white matter integrity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the abnormal changes of white matter in children and adolescents with focal temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) using DTI. Materials and Methods: Eight patients with clinically diagnosed TLE and eight age- and sex-matched healthy controls were studied. DTI images were obtained with a 3-T magnetic resonance imaging scanner. The epileptic foci were localized with magnetoencephalography. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), parallel (λ||) and perpendicular (λ⊥) diffusivities in the genu of the corpus callosum, splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC), external capsule (EC), anterior limbs of the internal capsule (AIC), and the posterior limbs of the internal capsule (PIC) were calculated. The DTI parameters between patients and controls were statistically compared. Correlations of these DTI parameters of each selected structure with age of seizure onset and duration of epilepsy were analysed. Results: In comparison to controls, both patients'' seizure ipsilateral and contralateral had significantly lower FA in the AIC; PIC and SCC and higher MD, λ|| and λ⊥ in the EC, AIC, PIC and SCC. The MD, λ|| and λ⊥ were significantly correlated with age of seizure onset in the EC and PIC. λ|| was significantly correlated with the duration of epilepsy in the EC and PIC. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that children and adolescents with TLE had significant abnormalities in the white matter in the hemisphere with seizure foci. Furthermore, these abnormalities may extend to the other brain hemisphere. The age of seizure onset and duration of epilepsy may be important factors in determining the extent of influence of children and adolescents TLE on white matter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• There are no reports on combination therapies of compound danshen dripping pill and azilsartan. • We investigated the effect of compound danshen dripping pill on the pharmacokinetics of azilsartan. • Effects of compound danshen dripping pill on mRNA and protein expression of azilsartan metabolic enzymes were evaluated. • There may be potential herb-drug interactions between the two drugs. Combination therapies of compound danshen dripping pill (CDDP) and Azilsartan (AZ) represent a promising treatment option in clinical practice in China, but there are no reports on drug-drug interactions between CDDP and AZ. This study investigated the effects of CDDP on the pharmacokinetics of AZ and clarified its potential mechanism. The pharmacokinetic profiles of oral administration of AZ (2 mg/kg) in Sprague-Dawley rats, with or without pre-treatment of CDDP (81, 405, 810 mg/kg/d for 7 d) were investigated using UPLC-MS/MS. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated and compared. The MS analysis was performed in positive ionization mode. The purpose of chromatographic separation of AZ and the internal standard (IS, Valsartan) was finished on a Waters XBridge BEH C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 2.5 μm). The mobile phase was acetonitrile and 0.1 % formic acid-water with gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The mRNA and protein levels of CYP2B1, CYP2C6, and CYP2C11 in the rat liver were detected by qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. The results indicated that low, medium and high doses of CDDP significantly increased the C max (6.47 ± 2.28, 6.51 ± 1.99, 7.04 ± 1.31 vs. 3.30 ± 1.87) of AZ, compared with that in the AZ single-drug group (p< 0.05). The AUC 0-t of AZ (47.77 ± 23.41, 50.69 ± 25.46, 54.50 ± 11.57 vs. 26.85 ± 16.79) tended to increase in combination with CDDP. The gene and protein expression levels of CYP2B1, CYP2C6, and CYP2C11 were significantly reduced in the rat liver by CDDP. CDDP may diminish the AZ metabolism in vivo by suppressing the expression of the CYP2B1, CYP2C6, and CYP2C11 enzymes. This observation suggested the occurrence of potential interactions between CDDP and AZ when clinically administered as combination therapy, which may require adjustment of the clinical dose of AZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupying an area of about 1,020,000 km2 with the sparse vegetation and the Taklimakan Desert(TD), The Tarim Basin (TB) is isolated by the surrounding mountains and plateaus, especially to the north of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) with a large drop in elevation. An intense dust storm occurring over TB, Northwest China from April 27 to May 1, 2015 was simulated by using the Weather Research and Forecasting model with chemistry (WRF-Chem v3.8.1). The sources of dust emissions were centered over the northeastern TB with the high dust emission flux reaching 24μgm−2 s−1 injected by strong near-surface northeasterly winds from basin mouth invading the TD. A large amount of dust aerosols accumulated in the windward northern slope of the TP. Dry deposition is the dominant removal process of dust aerosols from the atmosphere over the arid TB. The spatial distribution of dust dry deposition in the TB was similar to the columnar dust loading pattern during this dust storm event. With the impacts of the TB deep terrain structures on atmospheric circulation, the high column loading of dust aerosols was concentrated over the southeastern TB, where dust aerosols mainly accumulated at the lower troposphere below 3000 m. Once dust aerosols were lifted at a high elevation (>3500 m), they were exported from the TB driven by the westerlies in the free troposphere, and the zonal transport flux of dust aerosols (>3000 μgm−2 s−1) peaked at an elevation of approximately 4000 m along 41° N over the TB. The eastern border of TB was found to be the largest contributors to dust export from the TB. It was estimated for this intense dust storm that among the dust aerosols emitted from the dust emission sources over the TD, about 22.28% of dust aerosols were relatively inefficiently exported for the downwind dust regional transport from the TB compared to about 27.17% dust aerosols deposited on the basin surface, and a high fraction of about 50.54% dust aerosols suspending in the atmosphere over the TB, implying a significant implication of dust aerosols from the TD for climate and environment over the central Asian region. The Taklimakan Desert (TD) is located in the Tarim Basin (TB) isolated by the surrounding mountains and plateaus with the only an open in the northeastern TB edge. The effect of topography especially the Tibetan Plateau on dust aerosol distribution over the TB. Once dust aerosols were lifted at a high elevation (>3500 m), they were exported from the TB driven by the westerlies in the free troposphere, and the zonal transport flux of dust aerosols (>3000 μgm−2 s−1) peaked at an elevation of approximately 4000 m along 41° N over the TB. The eastern border of TB was found to be the largest contributor to dust export from the TB. The high fraction of 50.54% dust aerosols suspending in the atmosphere over the TB potentially exerted a large impact on regional changes of climate and environment over the TB for this dust storm event. Unlabelled Image • A strong effect of the Tibetan Plateau on the dust aerosol distribution over the Tarim Basin. • The zonal transport flux of dust aerosols peaked at an elevation of approximately 4000 m over the Tarim Basin. • The eastern border of Tarim Basin was found to be largest contributor to the downwind regional transport of dust aerosols. • A high fraction of about 50.54% dust aerosols suspending in the atmosphere over the Tarim Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A family of macrocyclic mononuclear Ln(III) coordination compounds, containing "lasso-type" protection based on cavity microenvironment, are obtained by template-assisted synthesis. The macrocyclic ligand could efficiently sensitize Sm(III) ion, and quantum yields are as high as 1.48 ± 0.03 and 0.24 ± 0.02% for Sm(III) ion in solid state and methanol, respectively. A series of mononuclear lanthanide(III) coordination compounds Ln - 1 a with the "lasso-type" protection have been synthesized based on the flexible [1+1] pendant-arm Schiff-base macrocyclic ligand H 2 L1 a. X-ray structure analysis reveals that the central ten-coordinate Ln(III) ion in every compound adopts distorted bicapped square antiprism geometry which is surrounded by one macrocycle and two axial chelating nitrates. Photophysical measurements have demonstrated that the macrocyclic ligand can serve as an effective sensitizer for Sm(III) ion. The relative compound Sm - 1 a shows efficient luminescence. Especially, the quantum yields are as high as about 1.48 ± 0.03 and 0.24 ± 0.02% for Sm(III) ion in solid state and methanol, respectively. The fluorescence lifetime is 42.3 μs in solid state together with 24.5 μs in methanol. It is proposed that the macrocyclic ligand plays an important role in guaranteeing the effective match of energy levels for Sm(III) central ion and constructing unique cavity microenvironment to shield the Sm(III) ion emitter from possible quenching effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Aberrant regulation of complement system plays an important role in preeclampsia. • Aberrant complement activation initiated as early as first trimester in preeclampsia. • There is aberrant regulation at the C3a-C5a level in preeclampsia. Recent studies have shown that aberrant activation of the complement system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. There is evidence to suggest that aberrant activation of the complement system may already be present during the first trimester. Here, we performed a prospective study in which peripheral blood samples were collected from 500 women during pregnancy. Twenty-one patients (41 specimens) suffering from preeclampsia later in pregnancy were classified into the study group, and sixty-three gravidas with normal pregnancies (136 specimens) were selected as the control group. The plasma concentrations of complement factor B (CFB), C1q, complement factor H (CFH), C3c, C4, C3a, C5a and soluble C5b-9 (sC5b-9) were measured. The levels of CFB (P = 0.004), CFH (P = 0.002), C1q (P = 0.044), C3c (P = 0.032) and C4 (P = 0.015) were significantly higher in preeclampsia than in normal pregnancy during the first trimester, and these levels became similar to those in normal pregnancy thereafter. Before the onset of preeclampsia, the levels of C3a, C5a and sC5b-9 in the preeclampsia group were similar to those in control group even in late pregnancy. C3a levels showed a significant positive correlation with C5a in normal pregnancy (r=0.658, P< 0.01) but not in preeclampsia (r = 0.001, P = 1).Thus, we found that aberrant activation of the complement system in patients with preeclampsia was initiated during the first trimester but returned to normal pregnancy levels in the second trimester. At the same time, there is aberrant regulation of complement activation at the C3a-C5a level in preeclampsia during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escherichia coli has been frequently reported as a major foodborne bacterium contaminating raw milk or pasteurized milk. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) technique combined with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and propidium monoazide (PMA) to detect culturable E. coli in milk. An internal amplification control was also added into this reaction system as an indicator of false-negative results. The inclusivity and exclusivity of the primers were tested using DNA from 7 E. coli and 14 other bacterial strains. The concentrations of SDS and PMA were determined according to plate counts and quantitative cycle values of qPCR, respectively. A standard curve was established using series diluted E. coli DNA. The reliability and specificity of this method were further determined by the detection of E. coli in spiked milk. The results showed that the optimal concentrations of SDS and PMA were 100 µg/mL and 40 μ M , respectively. A standard curve with a good linear relationship (coefficient of determination = 0.997; amplification efficiency = 100.5%) was obtained. Compared with conventional PCR and PMA-qPCR, the SDS-PMA-qPCR assay was more specific and sensitive in culturable E. coli detection. Therefore, we evaluated and improved the SDS-PMA-qPCR method for detecting culturable E. coli in milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and widely available, but many adults in the U.S. have not been vaccinated for COVID-19. This study examined the associations between behavioral and social drivers of vaccination with COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the U.S. adults and their prevalence by region. A nationally representative sample of U.S. adults participated in a cross-sectional telephone survey in August–November 2021; the analysis was conducted in January 2022. Survey questions assessed self-reported COVID-19 vaccine initiation, demographics, and behavioral and social drivers of vaccination. Among the 255,763 respondents, 76% received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine uptake was higher among respondents aged ≥75 years (94%), females (78%), and Asian non-Hispanic people (94%). The drivers of vaccination most strongly associated with uptake included higher anticipated regret from nonvaccination, risk perception, and confidence in vaccine safety and importance, followed by work- or school-related vaccination requirements, social norms, and provider recommendation (all p <0.05). The direction of association with uptake varied by reported level of difficulty in accessing vaccines. The prevalence of all of these behavioral and social drivers of vaccination was highest in the Northeast region and lowest in the Midwest and South. This nationally representative survey found that COVID-19 vaccine uptake was most strongly associated with greater anticipated regret, risk perception, and confidence in vaccine safety and importance, followed by vaccination requirements and social norms. Interventions that leverage these social and behavioral drivers of vaccination have the potential to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake and could be considered for other vaccine introductions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]